Much Ado about Shakespeare

Charles Stish, staff writer

 This semester at PVCC,  the skilled and dedicated local actors and play directors are bringing to life William Shakespeare’s Macbeth and Much Ado About Nothing.

“The interesting thing about the two plays is how they contrast each other. A violent drama and a silly comedy. A very, light and colored show and a dark show,” said Brad Stoller, director of Much Ado About Nothing and assistant professor of theatre arts, humanities, fine arts and social sciences at PVCC.

Stoller and local experienced acting major and director of Macbeth Amalia Oswald are directing both shows with the same actors in a technique called repertoire acting. This means all actors rehearse and practice together and will make groups to practice each play respectively. “The actors have to drastically change from a serious tragedy to a silly comedy,” said Stoller

The actors are enthusiastic about the upcoming performances as they willingly enjoy the rehearsal exercises of running lines and physical acting warm ups. As they do this, they create a bond that makes them keen to each others emotions and body movements, a good trait to have whilst on stage. Several of the current actors also participated in previous PVCC play productions, including last year’s The Rocky Horror Show.

Macbeth and Much Ado About Nothing  have already played their first weekend. Their second set of performances will be on the weekend of Nov. 11 with Much Ado About Nothing playing first on Nov.11 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov.12 at 2:30 p.m. with Macbeth following on Nov.12 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov.13 at 2:30 p.m. All showings will be performed in the Maxwell (BlackBox) Theatre on the second floor of the V. Earl Dickinson Building.

Tickets can be bought at $5 online or in person two hours before the show at the Box Office window or by calling the Box Office: 434-961-5376 prior to the showings. Since the Blackbox Theatre is small, it is recommended to reserve tickets in advance of the performance